Article describing the life of fur trader Zenas Leonard (1809-1857) and his stops at "the former site of Fort Osage" in 1831 and again in about 1840 when the site had become "a hustling-bustling frontier...

Illustrations and information on William Sublette (1799-1845), arriving in Saint Charles, Missouri Territory in 1818 as one of the original fur traders in the Rocky Mountains, co-organizer of the Kansas...

Biographical chapter about William Sherley Williams, or William Williams (1787-1849), also known as Old Bill Williams. He was a native of North Carolina raised just west of Saint Louis, Missouri, where...

Bio of William S. Chick from Virginia, involved in the War of 1812, and settling in Westport in 1836 with a log business struck repeatedly by floods. Began ferry service facilitating fur trade. First to...

Chapter of the book about William Gordon, "a surveyor, a clerk, a trader, a trapper, and an Indian affairs officer," supposedly a native of Virginia and War of 1812 veteran, in Saint Louis by 1818 and...

Biographical information about William Gillis (1797-1868), a soldier in Indian battles against Tecumseh later establishing Indian trading posts. Moved to Kansas City in 1830 with finest house in the area...

A list of international currencies commonly used in the fur trade. Currencies and equivaliencies of China, France, Madras, Russia, and Calcutta are listed. The list was originally written in 1800 by Michael...

Photos, map, and article about a "homemade houseboat" trip by the author's family on the Missouri River from Omaha to Boonville, Missouri, stopping at and passing through Kansas City. Also description...

Part 5 in the series "Lewis and Clark in Missouri." The author reviews the history of the Missouris and Osages in Missouri prior to Lewis' and Clark's epic expedition. Also addressed is the interaction...

Chapter of the book about Valentine Johnson Herring, or Valentine Herring (1812~1883), "universally known as 'Old Rube,'" a fur trapper born in Illinois who was in the Rocky Mountains by 1833 with William...

Biographical article describes the life of French explorer Etienne de Veniard, sieur de Bourgmont. Bourgmont's early travels in North America are covered. His interactions with Native American tribes such...

Article describes Western fur trade activity in 1867 and 1868 at Fort Laramie in what is now Wyoming. The author references the ledger of Seth E. Ward and focuses upon weapons, hardware, blankets, cloth,...

Part 6 of the 7-article series about Lewis and Clark in Missouri. This one discusses the fur trade up to and after the time Lewis and Clark traveled through the area. Includes a small chart--Partial Fur...

Compiled list of the locations, ownership. and periods of occupation of trading posts of the Central Plains during the era of the fur trade. The list is presented in a mix of chronological and geographical...

Transcription of two documents from 1831 that list a geographical outline of trade with Native Americans in Missouri at that time. The documents were taken from the records of William Clark, Superintendent...

Answers of Augustus Storrs to queries addressed to him by the hon. Thomas H. Benton [or Thomas Hart Benton], senator in congress from the state of Missouri, upon the origin, present state, and future prospect,...